Drabble 100: Partners for Life

A/N: Here it is: drabble 100. I've wanted to post this drabble for so long. And here we are. We made it to 100. It's been a long ride, but here's the final installment of Partners for Life. I hope you enjoy it.

Fitz walked through the area once more, checking that there were the right number of seats and that each one had a good view. When you had less than twenty guests, it wasn't too hard to make each seat a good one.

"Fitz, what are you still doing out here?" Mack asked. "You checked the seats fifteen minutes ago."

"I just want everything to be perfect." Fitz said, adjusting one seat a fraction of an inch, inspecting it, and moving it back to the way it was.

"Listen, Turbo." Mack said. "Nothing we plan is ever perfect, but this is the closest I think we've ever come. Unless you keep messing around out here and don't go get changed. Holding up your own wedding might make it a little less perfect."

"Yeah, Jemma would find a way to blame that on me." Fitz joked.

"Because it'd be your fault." Mack said. He cracked a smile and playfully pushed Fitz away. "Now go get ready."

"Hey, do one thing for me?" Fitz asked.

"Anything."

Fitz half-smiled knowingly. "Keep a lookout for guests."

"But everyone's already here." Mack said.

Fitz started walking away. "Just keep a lookout." He called over his shoulder. They were due anytime now.

Mack did as Fitz asked once the groom went to change into his suit, wondering what the engineer had planned. The girls were all helping Jemma get ready (though how they could all be necessary Mack didn't know), and Coulson was talking about Lola with Mr. Simmons, who found the car very impressive. Mack really couldn't think of who else would be invited.

He waited fifteen minutes and then turned, deciding to go join Coulson and learn just how he'd gotten Lola to fly.

"You're not leaving, are you?"

He froze and turned, shocked.

Hunter, his arm wrapped around Bobbi's waist, grinned at him. "Been a long time, Mack."

He crossed the distance to his old friends in a second and embraced them.

"Did I miss an open bar?" Hunter asked. "It's a bit early to be drunk. Unless you're planning on being the drunk uncle, in which case, please do."

Bobbi rolled her eyes at Hunter and smiled at Mack. "It's good to see you."

Hunter stopped messing around and shook his hand, nodding.

"Where have you guys been?" Mack asked.

"Traveling." Bobbi answered. "Trying to find a place to settle down, actually."

"Nothing feels right." Hunter said.

Bobbi looked around and spotted Coulson, who was just noticing the newest guests. "We're getting closer."

Fitz came out, saw Hunter and Bobbi, and ran over. Hunter clapped him on the back. "Fitz, you are a sight for sore eyes!"

"I'm so glad you made it." Fitz said, shaking his head in clear relief. "Now everyone's here."

"How did you two even hear about the wedding?" Mack asked. "Don't get me wrong, I'm glad you're here, but I thought you were almost impossible to find."

Bobbi smiled impishly. "Let's just say we both know a former hacker who knows how to get a message out."

"I was worried it wouldn't work." Fitz said.

"Oh it worked all right. We barely saw it before Bob had us packed and on the next flight in." Hunter said.

Coulson came up. "Well look who crashed the wedding."

"Does seem like something I would do." Hunter said with a shrug, and shook Coulson's hand.

Coulson frowned slightly. "We're not allowed to contact you guys. How did you -?"

"This isn't about S.H.I.E.L.D." Fitz said decidedly. "I invited old friends to my wedding, and I'll be damned if that's a bad thing."

Coulson patted him on the back approvingly and lost the trace of a frown. "Makes perfect sense to me."

"Jemma's gonna be thrilled when she sees you in the audience." Fitz said.

Mack chuckled. "That's your plan?"

Fitz turned to look at him. "Yeah, what's the problem?"

"Maybe not the best time to spring a reunion on someone, as they walk down the aisle to their wedding."

Fitz looked at the ground. "I guess that's true."

"Why don't I go see if Jemma needs any help?" Bobbi suggested.

"I don't see how she could." Mack said. "She's already got four people in there."

Bobbi waved away his comment.

The tent the girls were using was set up just far enough away that normal conversation couldn't be heard, but Mack heard an exclamation of joy and laughter from the tent a few minutes later. Though he couldn't see inside it, he had a pretty good idea what had happened: Bobbi had snuck in, made some comment to get their attention, and been swarmed by an extremely excitable Daisy and Jemma, and grinned at by May and Yo-Yo.

"You did good, Turbo." Mack said.

"Cheers, mate." Hunter said. "We were all rooting for you."

Fitz sighed. "I just can't believe the day's finally come. For so long I wasn't sure it ever would."

"So were we." Hunter said.

Mack shot him a look, and Hunter raised his hands. "What? I said we were rooting for them the whole time, what's the point in being dishonest?" he looked at Fitz, serious again. "It's a good match. I'm glad you tracked us down."

Fitz smiled. "I just wish I'd had an excuse to do it earlier."

"We're here now." Mack said. "That's what matters."

Jemma breathed out low to calm herself.

"Relax, sweetheart." Her mum whispered. "This should be the easiest thing in the world, if you truly love him."

"I do." Jemma said.

"Shouldn't Fitz be here when you say that?"

Jemma gasped at the familiar voice and basically attacked Bobbi upon seeing her, Daisy only a step behind her. "I can't believe it!" she cried. "How on earth did -." She stopped and then smiled for a different reason, biting her bottom lip. "Fitz."

"He wanted to surprise you." Bobbi said.

"I knew too." Daisy said.

Jemma introduced her mum to Bobbi, and then Bobbi inspected the bride to be. "Well?" Jemma asked, holding her arms out and spinning modestly. "What do you think?"

"I think it suits you."

Jemma smiled warmly. "I have missed you."

"We'll catch up; I promise." Bobbi said.

"We're holding you to it." May said.

"Are you ready? Fitz is all changed."

Jemma looked into the mirror they had set up, taking another deep breath as a fresh wave of nerves went off. "Yes," she said, smoothing out the front of the dress. "I'm ready."

Her mum kissed her cheek before going to get her dad, and everyone walked out to find their seats. "It's just a walk down the path." Jemma told herself once she was alone. "And Fitz is at the end."

That last part helped her control her nerves, so that when her dad came into the tent, she was really ready.

"My beautiful girl." He said, hugging her gently. "Let's get you to that fine young man."

She walked out of the tent arm in arm with her father, stepping slowly but confidently closer to the space where Coulson stood, waiting to officiate, and Fitz waited right in front of him, his eyes locking on her the second she walked out of the tent. Fitz looked handsome as ever in his sharp black suit, but it was his expression that made her want to dash to him instead of walking slowly. He was so open with his love, and just now he was making no effort to hide it. It was one of her favorite things about him.

Her dad let go of her arm and went to his seat, and Jemma stood opposite Fitz, smiling nervously at him.

"Ready?" Coulson asked quietly.

"Definitely." They said together.

"Good."

Coulson cleared his throat and looked at the people seated in front of him. "We're gathered here today to see these two people join together in marriage. I've known them for a few years now, and from the beginning I saw them together. We called them by one name, because when you asked one a question, the other answered. So let's not wait any longer, and make it official." He started to look for the rings, and then remembered something.

"If anyone has a reason these two should not be wed, please speak now." He said quickly.

Daisy stood up, holding up one hand and facing the audience with a serious expression. "No one sitting here better say anything even remotely like an objection." She warned. She looked at Fitz and Jemma, who seemed both amused and concerned at the interruption. "Sorry, guys. But I'm not letting anything keep this from happening. You two are meant to be together, and everything we've experienced proves it." She looked at Jemma. "Through all the insane crap we have gone through, the one thing I've known, without a doubt, the whole time, is you and Fitz belong together."

The corners of Jemma's lips turned up as she remembered the words, spoken in one of the scariest times of her life. Fitz was hearing them for the first time, but he was taking them to heart just as much, it seemed, from the warm expression on his face. They were the perfect words then, and they were just as fitting now. Maybe because they were the truth.

Daisy smiled. "Now get married."

She sat back down, and Jemma and Fitz looked at Coulson again. Coulson chuckled. "Now that we've gotten the objections out of the way, we can move to the vows."

"Shall I go first then?" Jemma asked. She had a feeling she would start crying sooner or later, and wanted to speak clearly while she could.

Fitz nodded, and Jemma took a deep breath. "When I first met you, I didn't know anything. I wanted to go out into the world and make a difference, but was too scared to do it on my own. You always make me braver. So when we started to get close, I promised myself I would stay with you. I convinced you to join a little team Coulson was gathering, and we went into the field together. Inexperienced and unprepared, perhaps, but together, which made all the difference.

"When I was first brought to Maveth, it was the thought of you that kept me going. I knew you were searching for me, and that I had to get back to you. We had a date. And when I did get back home, it was because of you. You never gave up on me.

"You are the first person I look for in a room, and the only one I need to feel complete. And I can't imagine my life without you."

Fitz grabbed her hand, just for a second, and then spoke.

"Thanks to my time in the Framework, I can imagine exactly what my life would be without you, and that's a horror. And once you rescued me, I realized how empty that life was. It wasn't a life at all. I realized how lucky I am to know you in this real one. I wouldn't be half the man I am today if I didn't know you, because you challenge me to be the best I can.

"Everything I am is because I've been with you, Jemma. No, it's true. You are so much a part of me that yours is the voice inside my head, not mine." He smiled. "I've always loved you. In the Academy, at Sci-Ops, on every mission we've ever gone on, I've always known you're the one I'm meant to be with. I've known the whole damn time."

He took her hands again, probably to comfort her. As she'd suspected, she was starting to cry, though she was fighting back the tears and mostly succeeding.

"The whole damn time." He repeated, just for her.

She squeezed his hand, smiling. "Me too."

They looked back at Coulson, who was looking at them knowingly. "It's time for the rings."

Mack stood and handed Fitz his. Daisy brought Jemma hers. Jemma held the silver band that would be worn on Fitz's hand carefully.

"Leopold James Fitz. Do you take Jemma Anne Simmons as your bride, to love and cherish, as long as you both shall live?"

"Definitely." Fitz said, his eyes locked on Jemma.

"Jemma Anne Simmons, do you take Leopold James Fitz as your husband, to love and to cherish, as long as you both shall live?"

Jemma stared right back into those blue eyes she adored, perfectly calm as she said "Absolutely."

They held out their hands and slipped the rings into place: two small silver bands, taken from the same source. The only difference was the small stone in Jemma's ring, separating the bands. Making them not identical, but close enough to be a perfect pair.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

Fitz was already there, and Jemma held him close as he kissed her, not wanting it to end. When the kiss did end, a few seconds later, they stayed close, hands joined and arms brushing against each other.

"Shall we walk up the aisle?" Fitz asked. He sounded so wonderfully happy it made Jemma kiss him again, and then she laughed and nodded.

"Now presenting: Fitz-Simmons!" Daisy called.

They walked past the intimate audience and into one of the tents, to gather themselves for a moment before going out as a married couple.

"Jem," Fitz said.

She interrupted him by kissing him again, squarely on the mouth, and much more intimately now that they were in private. When she pulled back a minute later, she was breathing much heavier. So was he.

"I love you." she whispered. He had to know how happy she was to be with him. He was her everything.

She thought he knew exactly what she was thinking, because the way he looked at her told her that he very plainly understood. And that he felt the same way. Fitz brushed her hair back, his touch lingering on her cheek. "I love you too." He whispered.

The reception was just as intimate as the wedding, though a bit more informal. The entrances of the tents were taped open, so people could get under cover if the weather didn't stay clear.

The team collectively filled Hunter and Bobbi in on the major developments since they'd been gone. Jemma's parents and Fitz's mum listened to part of it and then went to talk on their own, most likely preferring not to know how often their children were in extreme danger.

Through all of it Fitz kept Jemma by his side, always in reach. It was a habit by now, because it made it easier to stay safe. He wasn't going to let anything separate them again. They'd had enough of that for a lifetime.

The afternoon light started weakening, and food began to arrive from the caterer as evening fell. Everyone moved towards the tents, lit by a combination of lanterns and string lights and beckoning with the smell of the meal. Once everyone was seated in the larger of the two tents, and had a plate of food in front of them, Fitz realized it was time to make a toast. He looked at Jemma to confirm this, and she gave him the smallest of nods.

Fitz stood and held up his champagne glass for attention. It quieted immediately, the guests looking at him expectantly.

"I want to thank everyone for being here with us today. It wouldn't be as special a day without all of you being here." He swallowed and tried to compose himself, though he was feeling very emotional. "Weddings are about family. The one you're born into." He glanced at his mum, and Jemma's parents, giving them a respectful nod. "The one you find." He looked at all of the people who made up the team he loved, past and present. "And the one you're planning to have someday, with the person you're meant to be with." He looked at his new bride, and her hand found his and put pressure on it. He forced himself to look away from her, intent on finishing the speech. He was getting a bit emotional, and if he kept looking at her, he wouldn't be able to finish. But he kept hold of her hand. "Everyone here is part of my family." He said, looking at all of them. "I've said before that it seems like we're cursed. But I can see now that that's the farthest thing from the truth. We've been through hard times, but all of it brought us closer together, made us a stronger family. I have been so blessed to be part of this family."

He took a deep breath and held the glass a little higher, blinking back tears. "To family."

Glasses were raised, and a strong chorus of "to family" sounded inside the tent. Fitz took a sip of his champagne and sat down. "I think that went okay."

"Oh, Fitz." Jemma said, and he noticed that her eyes were shining. "It was perfect."

Dinner passed by, and the last of the daylight fully faded before the plates were cleared away. Once the tables were moved aside, Mack and Daisy stepped forward.

"Time for a wedding tradition. I know a couple usually chooses their own song to dance to." Mack said.

"But we found a fantastic one, so we chose for you." Daisy finished. "You guys ready for your first dance?"

Fitz was slightly scared by how excited Daisy seemed, but more so by how eager Mack looked. This could be very interesting. But he trusted them, and escorted Jemma onto the 'dance floor.' Once they were there, Yo-Yo started the stereo, and a soft tune started playing.

"Do you know what this is?" Fitz whispered.

Jemma turned her head slightly as the lyrics started. "I don't believe so."

His hands were on her waist, hers on his shoulders as they swayed back and forth, stepping minimally. The lyrics floated over them, and Fitz focused on one strand:

"The smile on your face lets me know that you need me. There's a truth in your eyes, saying you'll never leave me. A touch of your hand says you'll catch me if ever I fall. You say it best when you say nothing at all."

He looked at Jemma as the song continued, comprehension dawning on him. He pulled her closer and she rested her head on his shoulder. He opened his mouth to say something, then closed it as words failed him.

He just held her close as the song continued to play, letting it talk for him.

The dancing continued for about an hour, and then the newlyweds stepped outside to cool off in the chilling air. They could hear Hunter's voice carrying from the mini bar, and chuckled when it was quieted by Bobbi.

"What a spectacular day." Jemma said.

"It's everything I hoped." Fitz admitted. "Better, really."

May's head peeked out of the tent, and a moment later she appeared with Coulson. "Congratulations." She said.

"We want to give you something, in private." Coulson said.

"Sir, you've already done so much for us, just helping with the wedding."

Coulson ignored Fitz and walked a few feet away from the tent, waiting for the others before speaking. "Every family needs a home. You'll always have a home with the team, but we thought you might like a place of your own. So we pooled our resources and put a down payment on a house for you."

"You did what? You didn't have to -." Jemma started to protest.

"Of course we didn't have to." May said. "But we did." She smiled. "It's a wedding gift."

Jemma looked at Fitz, mirroring his stunned pleasure.

"But where?" Jemma asked.

May looked excited. "Perthshire."

Jemma's eyes widened, her mouth slightly open. "I never told anyone about that cottage." She looked at Fitz. "Did you?"

He was just as confused as she was. "I definitely never mentioned it in casual conversation."

"We heard from a reliable source." May said. She gestured with her head to Daisy, who was laughing as she talked with the parents near the edge of the tent. "She overheard the two of you talking one morning, after Fitz got you back from Maveth."

"I can't believe it." Jemma said softly, her eyes still on Daisy.

"It means a lot." Fitz said.

"Everyone needs a place to escape." May said. "This will be yours."

Fitz knew May wasn't big on physical contact, but he hugged her. "Thank you." he said.

He couldn't see her face, but it sounded like she was smiling when she said "you're welcome."

"This really is too much." Jemma said. "I don't know how to thank you."

"Enjoy it." Coulson said. He grinned and went back to the tent, May just behind him.

"Now it's way better than I hoped." Fitz said. "I never imagined they'd go and do a thing like that."

Jemma was beaming at him. "We have a house, Fitz!"

"A place to start a family."

Her smile faded slightly. "Are you ready to do that?"

"Are you kidding? It's only our wedding night!" he smiled. "I want to enjoy this moment as long as I can. But in the near future? I absolutely want to start a family with you."

He could see the blush in her cheeks. "I feel the same way."

His hand wound around her waist and pulled her closer, and their foreheads touched, resting against each other.

"I love you." Fitz said softly, saying so much more in those three words.

"I love you too." Jemma murmured, just as softly.

The two stood outside the bustling tent for some time, scarcely illuminated by the strands of lights around them as they planned the rest of their future together, and enjoyed the wonderfulness that was the present. Two people, utterly in love. Inseparable.

Partners.

Partners for life.

A/N: I've had this drabble planned since I started Partners for Life, three years ago. I can't tell you how emotional I felt to finally write it, and how bittersweet it is to mark the end of this story that I've dedicated so much time and effort to. I'm nowhere near done with Fitz-Simmons stories, but this particular one is complete. Their wedding was always going to be the final drabble. I want to thank everyone who took the time to read these drabbles. I hope you enjoyed reading them as much as I loved writing them. Until the next story.

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